Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Bella took it upon herself to plan the menus this week. She used a tiny piece of paper and her handwriting's not that clear anyway, so the meals have been surprises to us. Pleasant surprises.

She didn't actually do all of tonight's cooking, though. We've gotten into a rhythm of cooking together every evening, every one who's home. Each person takes on one of the dishes--Giles does the salad, prepping the lettuce and making the balsamic dressing. Clara and Felix often prepare the other vegetables, although I don't like entrusting Felix with any delicate steaming--he's so apt to become absent-minded and wander off leaving the asparagus to turn to mush.

Bella does everything, and sets the table. So cooking dinner from start to finish rarely takes more than forty minutes of prep, and we all think it's worth it.

For Felix's last evening at home for a while Bella marinated flank steaks in an Asian vinaigrette this morning, then Giles grilled them. A spicy grated carrot salad, steamed asparagus, and then that most Southern of all delicacies, fried okra, finished the plate.

And Clara made this beautiful fruit salad. How about that giant footed milk glass thrift store find? I think yes!

15 comments:

It's so awesome how y'all work together as a family to cook dinner! May God bless and watch over Felix during his fall term!

Quick question, how do you keep your kids occupied and creative during the summers? I have realized, too late, that my kids really have a big addiction to electronics and it needs to stop but I'm not sure how to change that living in our apartment. Thanks!

Do you have a tried and true recipe for fried okra. I'm getting close to the way my husband's grandmother used to do it (I hear about how wonderful it was, all the time) but I'm not quite there yet! Would love suggestions!

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Photography

Photography is an important part of life at my house. Photos that appear here are taken by Giles, by the Composer, and by me. Giles is a real, paid photographer, and he uses a Sony Alpha. Most of the photography prior to September 2008 is his. Since then I have done most of the shooting and I use a Konica Minolta. Additionally, the Composer offers me nice shots on occasion, often from his little Canon point and shoot. I've given up trying to note who's done what. Thanks for your interest!